The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-01-08

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has been changed, if not simplified
by the deaths of Arthur and LO.
gan. Arthur, powerful political
influence in the empire state, has
passed away, leaving no man quite
his peer for that kind of manage
ment which composes quarrcls and
recOnciles factions. Logan, though
not a constructive statesman, was
a most powerful and significant po-
litical figure. Thousands of war
democrats, as well as republicans,
respected Logan's patriotic service
and sincerity of his aggressive
opinions. Logan had more inhu-
ence in Illinois than any man in
his party, and as the most eminent
volunteer soldier had large fol-
lowing among the veterans of the
war. His death may probably
weaken the republican party in IL
linois, for he was man who always
kept himself very near the people.
He was generous man personally,
kindly, brave and frank; he was
the upright husband of a very
bright and winning woman, and
Logan was real power within his
own state and without it.
1t is an interesting question who
will be the natural heir to his in
fiuence with the veterans of the
war. The East contains two able,
upright, and eloquent men in Gen.
Hawley, United States Senator
from Connecticut, and Gen. Charles
Devens, of the Massachusetts SUI
preme bench; but outside of Blaine
there is small probability of any
eastern republican securing large
western support. Turning to the
west the natural heirs to Logan's
influence with the veterans are ex-
Governor Fairchild Of Wisconsin,
the present head of the G.. A. r.,
and Gen. Gresham, of the U. S.
circuit court. Fairchild lost an
arm at Gettysburg, leading his bri-
gade; he was subsequently COVER
nor of Wisconsin for three terms
then he served some ten or twelve
years as consul-general at Liver
pool, as consul-general at Paris
and finally rs minister to Spain.
Governor Fairchild was absent from
the country during the factional
fights of the party; he is a man of
good sense, polished manners, more
than ordinary powers of public
speech, a man Of sound business
training, and of very large ac-
quaintance with our leading pub
lie men through his long diplo-
matte service abroad. Gen. Gresh-
am was crippled for life by a terri
bic wound he received leading his
brigade in one Of Sherman's bat
ties before Atlanta. An able law
yer, Grant made him judge of the
United States district court of Idi-
ana; Arthur made him postmaster
general, and finally judge of the
United States district court, from
which he has recently rendered his
famous decision in the Wabash
railroad case, which is terrible in
dictment of Jay Gould's rascally
methods of railroad management.
If the republican nomination for
1888 should not drop into Blaine's
hands we should not be at all sur
prised to find Fairchild or Gresham
strongly pressed by the west for
the nomination, for they are the
legitimate heirs to Logan's inhu-
ence with the republican veterans
of the great war for the Union.
In any event the death of Logan
cannot but change greatly the stu
alton. Logan carried the electoral
vote of Illinois in his hand, and
this cannot be said of any man he
leaves behind him. The death of
Logan will certainly compel new
marshaling of the men on the po-
litical chessboard. Blaine remains
the imperial figure of the party ;
that is, if he seriously cares for the
nomination probably he can get it,
but he is too shrewd a man to
seek it in face of any irreconcila-
BILE influences that would imply de-
feat. 1t is probable Blaine would
rather be secretary Of state under a
republican, who promised to calm
the troubled breast of the party,
than to be again the standard bear
er in a doubtful, uphill contest.
Mr.. Blaine has too much brains to
accept the nomination again unless
he has reasonable assurance of VIC
tory; that is as good, if not better
assurance, than any other man in
the party.